Talib Ahmed Bensouda is the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia’s largest and most urbanised local government area. Elected in 2018 at age 31—the youngest mayor in the country’s history—and re-elected in 2023, he is widely recognised for driving bold reforms in urban governance, service delivery, and economic inclusion.
Under his leadership, the Council has doubled its revenue, introduced the city’s first organised municipal waste collection system, and mobilised significant international financing, including a €3 million European Union grant for environmental and urban development. He also secured funding from the Mayors Migration Council to establish a Migrant Resilience Hub providing business incubation, skills training, and social support for vulnerable youth.
Most recently, Kanifing was selected as a winner of the 2025 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge, securing $1 million to implement a youth-led circular waste management model that expands service delivery while creating jobs.
Mayor Bensouda’s work focuses on building resilient, inclusive cities through sustainable infrastructure, innovation, and opportunity creation.